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Healthy Premix Series 2: Life Made Easier With No Onion No Garlic Sabzi Masala Premix



Some recipes become useful once.

And then some recipes become a permanent part of your kitchen.

This no onion no garlic sabzi masala premix is one of those recipes.

I have used this premix powder to make delicious sambar, lip-smacking kadhi, quick paneer bhurji, stir-fries and 5-minute sabzis. Every time I make something with it, it finishes quickly.

And honestly, it makes sense.

Be it curries, stir-fries, kadhi, sambaro, paneer, or quick sabzi — this premix gives instant flavour without chopping onion, garlic or making a fresh masala base every single time.

It is especially useful when you want to cook without onion and garlic, but still want the food to taste rich, aromatic and satisfying.

The secret is simple: mustard oil, sarson, jeera, hing, whole red chilli, haldi, Kashmiri red chilli and roasted besan.

Roasted besan gives this premix body, nuttiness and that deep “bhuna hua” flavour which makes even simple vegetables taste better.



Why This Premix Works

When we cook without onion and garlic, many people feel the food becomes flat.

That is usually because onion and garlic are used to build flavour in many Indian recipes.

But they are not the only way to build flavour.

This premix uses three flavour-building layers:

First, mustard oil gives a sharp, traditional Indian base.

Second, sarson, jeera, hing and whole red chilli create a strong tadka aroma.

Third, roasted besan adds body, nuttiness and depth.

That is why this premix works beautifully in no onion no garlic cooking.

It is not just a spice powder. It is a cooked flavour base in powder form.

What Makes This Different From Regular Premix Powder

Most curry powders are dry spice blends.

This one is different because the spices and besan are roasted in mustard oil first.

That means the flavour is already developed before you add it to a sabzi or curry.

So when you are in a hurry, you can sauté vegetables or paneer, add this premix, cook for a few minutes and still get a flavourful result.

This is why I like calling it a curry flavor booster.

 


Ingredients

1/4 cup mustard oil

1 cup-besan

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp- kashmiri red chili powder

1 tsp- methi dana

1 tsp- mustard seeds

1 tsp- jeera

kasuri methi

1/4 tsp- hing

whole red chili 

curry leaves

Method

Heat mustard oil in a pan.

Add mustard seeds and let them crackle.

Add cumin seeds, hing and whole dry red chilli.

Roast them on low flame until aromatic. Roast curry leaves.

Now add turmeric powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder.

Mix quickly so the spices do not burn.

Add besan.

Keep the flame low and roast the besan properly.

This is the most important step.

Roast until the raw smell of besan goes away, the colour changes slightly and a beautiful nutty aroma starts coming.

Do not rush this step.

Once the besan is roasted well, turn off the flame.

Let the mixture cool completely.

Pulse or grind into a coarse powder.

Your no onion no garlic sabzi masala premix is ready.

How to Use This Premix Powder

For a quick sabzi, heat a little oil or ghee.

Add your vegetable or paneer.

Cook for a few minutes.

Add 2 tbsp of this premix powder.

Add salt separately.

Mix well and cook for 2 to 5 minutes.

That is it.

A quick flavourful sabzi is ready.

Or you can do it for a plain onion sabji.

Fry onions and then add this premix powder and salt. Better to use nutrition salt.

Mix well. Done!

Yummy, easy and quick meal idea

Use this premix in:

Dry sabzi

Bhindi

Paneer bhurji

Lauki

Tori

Kadhi

Sambar

Stir-fries

Quick curry

No onion no garlic paneer

Satvik-style meals

This is especially useful for busy days when you want homemade food but do not want to make a full masala from scratch.

My Favourite Ways to Use It

 1. Quick Paneer Bhurji

Sauté onion if using, or skip onion for a no onion no garlic version.

Add paneer, this premix powder, salt and black pepper.

Cook for 2 minutes.

Quick paneer bhurji is ready.

 2. Instant Kadhi Flavour Boost

Add a small spoon of this premix to kadhi for roasted besan aroma and deeper flavour.

It gives kadhi a beautiful warmth.

 3. Sambar Shortcut


When you are in a hurry to make sambar but forget to soak dal, this premix powder will come in handy. It will not replace traditional sambar masala, but it works as a flavour booster.

4. 5-Minute Sabzi

Use it with boiled potatoes, bhindi, lauki, tori or paneer.

Add vegetables, premix, salt and cook.

It saves time and still gives that cooked masala taste.

Storage Tips

Cool the premix completely before storing.

Store it in a clean, dry, airtight glass jar.

Use a dry spoon every time.

Keep it away from steam, heat and moisture.

For best flavour and aroma, store spice mixes in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. FSSAI also recommends keeping herbs and spices in a cool and dark place in airtight containers for maximum flavour and shelf life.

Because this is homemade and contains roasted besan and oil, make small batches and finish them fresh.

If the premix smells rancid, develops moisture, changes texture badly or shows any spoilage, discard it.

Why Roasted Besan Is the Real Secret

Besan is not just a filler here.

When besan is roasted properly, it develops a nutty aroma and gives body to curries and sabzis.

That is why this premix works so well in no onion no garlic cooking.

It helps the masala cling to vegetables and gives a fuller taste.

The key is to roast the besan on low flame until the raw smell disappears.

If you under-roast it, the premix may taste raw.

If you burn it, the premix will taste bitter.

So roast patiently.

 Is This Premix Healthy?

This is a homemade flavour premix made with simple Indian kitchen ingredients.

It has no added preservatives, no artificial colours and no ready-made packaged masala.

But remember, “healthy” also depends on how much oil, salt and total food you eat in the day.

 Why This Recipe Is Perfect for No Onion No Garlic Cooking

No onion no garlic food does not have to be boring.

The right tadka, the right spice balance and a roasted base can create excellent flavour.

This premix is useful for satvik-style meals, festive cooking, Jain-style meals, vrat-style cooking depending on your family rules, and everyday quick sabzis.

One spoon can make a simple vegetable taste much more complete.

Recipe Card

No Onion No Garlic Sabzi Masala Premix

Ingredients

1/4 cup mustard oil

1 cup-besan

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp- kashmiri red chili powder

1 tsp- methi dana

1 tsp- mustard seeds

1 tsp- jeera

kasuri methi

1/4 tsp- hing

whole red chili 

curry leaves

Method

Heat mustard oil.

Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing and whole dry red chilli.

Roast until aromatic.

Add turmeric and Kashmiri red chilli powder.

Add besan.

Roast on low flame until the besan changes colour slightly and smells nutty.

Cool completely.

Pulse into a coarse powder.

Store in a clean, dry, airtight jar.

Use 1 to 2 teaspoons in sabzi, curry, kadhi, sambar, paneer or stir-fries.

 FAQs

What is this premix used for?

This premix is used as an instant flavour booster for sabzi, kadhi, sambar, paneer, stir-fries and quick curries.

 Is this a no onion no garlic masala?

Yes. This premix is made without onion and garlic.

 Can I use this for paneer?

Yes. It works very well in paneer bhurji, paneer sabzi and quick paneer stir-fries.

Can I use this in kadhi?

Yes. A small spoon of this premix adds roasted besan aroma and deeper flavour to kadhi.

Can I use this in sambar?

yes, but use it as a flavour booster, not as a complete replacement for traditional sambar masala.

How much premix should I use?

Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons for a small sabzi. Adjust according to taste.

Should I add salt to the premix?

I prefer not to add salt. Salt can be adjusted separately depending on the dish.

How should I store it?

Store in a clean, dry, airtight jar. Keep away from moisture, steam and heat. Use a dry spoon.

Final Note

Bina pyaz-lehsun ke food bland nahi hona chahiye.

Agar aapke paas yeh no onion no garlic sabzi masala premix ready hai, toh aloo, bhindi, paneer, lauki, tori, kadhi, sambar aur quick curries sabka flavour instantly upgrade ho sakta hai.


Make it once, store it properly, and use it whenever food needs a quick flavour boost.


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